Romeo & Juliet

There’s one compelling instant in Lyric Opera’s production of Charles Gounod’s 1867 take on Romeo and Juliet: it’s when mezzo-soprano Marianne Crebassa, in a minor trouser role, launches into a solo that reveals a fabulous voice. Otherwise, the singing—like the score—is all good, but nothing that’ll make your hair stand up. Broadway director Bartlett Sher, saddled with a dud of a French libretto (don’t even bother with the supertitles), opts for something closer to Disney than to Shakespeare: soprano Susanna Phillips is a simpering Juliet in a princess gown, and the swordplay is way better than the love scenes. Eric Cutler takes over the role of Romeo from powerhouse tenor Joseph Calleja for the last three performances. — DEANNA

ISAACS Sat 3/5, Tue 3/8, and Fri 3/11, 7:30 PM, Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker, 312-332-2244, civicoperahouse.com, $34-$239.